St. Mary’s Outreach
Did you know that a portion of your weekly Pledge donations go to other Faith-based organizations? Some are local, some others are in different parts of the world. In a way these are our own internal “tithes”, that is, we promise ourselves to spend ten percent of our pledge donations to help the needy, the homeless, the spiritually impoverished.
This effort is under the direction of St. Mary’s Outreach Committee. We meet monthly to learn about and evaluate requests from many Faith-based organizations. This is not a new idea. In fact we have been doing this for quite some time and with some spiritually rewarding results. For example, we have helped support several Christian missions undertaken by our own parishioners. Just these past two years, we’ve helped one of our parishioner’s efforts at a Christian residence school for homeless young women in Nicaragua. Recently we sent financial aid to another of our Parish who is now working among the natives of Liberia, in Africa, offering nursing and other medical assistance in a Christian hospital there.
On a local level, we have supported Faith Homes, an Episcopal charitable organization, offering a safe haven for young adults who have been abused, left homeless, or are offsprings of chemically addicted parents, etc. Faith Homes, located in Pierce County has helped countless young women who lacked any kind of spiritual compass in their confused young adulthood and are now seeking guidance through caring professionals. Incidentally, one of our own, John Lloyd, is one of the directors on the Board of Faith Homes.
Or, on a more current theme, your Outreach Committee has been instrumental in providing financial aid to the Christian community in Lebanon, victims of the horrific destruction of their homes and homeland. This support decision stemmed from Fr. Stan’s close involvement with Venture International, the organization heavily involved in charitable works of mercy in the Middle East.
In a future article you’ll be hearing from Phil Kiss, one of our Committee members, who became enthralled with what he’s learned about Faith Homes and wants to share his enthusiasm for this effort with his fellow parishioners.